Once the North Yukon Land Use Plan was approved, the Commission ceased its work. Therefore, this website is not to be maintained until the Commission is restarted at some time in the future. In the meantime, the Yukon Land Use Planning Coucil is posting all the Commission's documents. The Coucil's staff is also checking the plan conformity of all projects in the Planning Region coming through the YESAB process, on behalf of the Commission. Here are some links to North Yukon Land Use Plan-related sites:

An ALCES® landscape computer simulation model was used to explore and better understand potential outcomes of plausible oil and gas, tourism and mining land use scenarios for the North Yukon Planning Region (Table S-1). Land use scenarios, and the detailed parameters for each scenario, were developed by domain experts and through research. A number of different scenarios for each sector were not examined, as the range of plausible scenarios was considered to be relatively low.

The complete document is now available at this link.

The Scenario Report:

Explores possible outcomes of plausible future land use scenarios in the North Yukon Planning Region (oil and gas, tourism and minerals);

Identifies and explores natural factors and human land uses and land use practices that act as key drivers of landscape change; and

Compares the potential outcomes of different future land use scenarios against a set of socio-economic, land use and ecological indicators.

Modelling results are not intended to be a prediction of future events in the North Yukon Planning Region. Scenario modelling was conducted to facilitate informed discussion about key land use issues and practices, levels of landscape change, and potential land use impacts. The authors fully acknowledge that future events, land uses and biophysical processes may unfold in potentially different and uncertain ways.

This project built upon the experiences and results of Kruse et al. (2004) and Berman et al. (2004) through the Sustainable Arctic Communities Initiative. Funding assistance was provided by the Environment Canada Northern Ecosystems Initiative and Yukon Land Use Planning Council, and is gratefully acknowledged.

The logo of the North Yukon Planning Commission depicts the significance of the Porcupine Caribou Herd to the people of North Yukon. The Mother and calf signifies the responsibility of parents and the older generation to their young and to the future. The circle shows how we are all inter-connected and dependent on a healthy environment. Looking Forward - Nichih Gwanal'in is a value inherent in the Vuntut Gwitchin culture; it is the responsibility of all to work towards a sustainable future for generations to come.

Important Update - June 29, 2009North Yukon Land Use Plan is now approved!

The Yukon and Vuntut Gwitchin governments have approved the North Yukon Planning Commission's North Yukon Land Use Plan. This is the first regional plan approved in the Yukon. The plan provides a road map for future land uses in the North Yukon Planning Region and provides a clear statement on how the land is to be used.

It has been a trail breaking experience, since we are the first Commission to recommend a regional plan through the implementation of a land claim agreement says Chair Shirlee Frost. We have had to think about many things for the first time; questions like: What areas should be off limits to development? What areas should development be allowed in? How much development should be allowed? How do we show all of our ideas on our maps and make them clear to everyone from elders through to land management technicians in government?

Other Commission members include David Brekke, Marvin Frost, Jane Montgomery and Dennis Frost. The Commission began its work in 2004.